Signed copy of Beneath the Boards by David Haynes

Here's another generous donation from one of my favourite British contemporary horror authors. This is also one of his finest books and a worthy addition to anyone's scary story collection.

One day I hope he'll receive the plaudits he deserves and when that happens it might even become a valuable part of the collection :-)

Beneath Jim Stokes’s shirt is a scar, one last horrific reminder of his old job in the police force.

Beneath the everyday normality of the village Stormark is a shameful secret, haunting people’s dreams.

Beneath the floorboards of the lake house is a hatch, sealed and forgotten for years until Stokes opens it up.

Beneath them all is blackness, and unheard screams, and scratching sounds in the night…

…and her whispers.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364030053495

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 64 - Tigger Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Day 64 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs has proved to be an unhappy one. It is with much sadness to reveal that Tigger crossed the rainbow bridge and gained his angel wings today. 

Tigger came to us at just 8 months old. He had grabbed the child next door so his owners were now worried. They stated that this was new behaviour. Even so, they hadn't explained to us the full extent of his reactivity. It was worrying to see one so young behaving this way. 

However, he had been treated with Nexgard flea treatment which is known to cause neurological damage.  With careful handling, Tigger did make improvements and we were hopeful for his future. 

We lost that hope today when he suffered a seizure that he didn't recover from and the vets advised us to give him peace in sleep. Tigger lived for just 11 months and died as another preventable victim of Nexgard. 

Fly high Tigger and may you find peace in eternal sleep.

If you are unaware of the dangers of Nexgard then you can learn more in this article:

https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/2022/04/health-topics-nexguard-and-bravecto.html

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 63 - Meet Leo

All too often the dogs we rescue are suffering mentally as well as physically from the trauma they've experienced. It's amazing (and not in a good way) that there are some people who don't appreciate that. The fact that some still use outdated fear based techniques and barbaric devices like prong collars (How are they still legal?) is saddening when you consider the advances in understanding dog psychology and behaviour.

Today we meet Leo, looking for a calm home to live in.

Meet Leo

Leo is a male German Shepherd and he's approximately 3 years old. He is quite a nervous boy but has come on in leaps and bounds since being in our care. 

Even with his progress so far Leo would suit a quiet home where he can be given time to settle. Any potential adopter would need to do several visits to gain his trust. 

He is not neutered and he's currently located in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you can offer Leo the home he needs then please contact us via the adoption query form:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

As always, please Follow, Like and Share this post far and wide and find Leo his new parent(s) - your support is much appreciated!

Health Topic - Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

CHOCOLATE TOXICITY IN DOGS

We may want to share our favourite treat with an eager pet but it is best to think twice and reach for the dog biscuits instead.

WHY IS CHOCOLATE BAD?

Sometimes we eat chocolate plain. Sometimes we eat it baked into cakes or mixed into ice cream etc. The first problem with these sweets is the fat.  A sudden high fat meal (such as demolishing a bag of chocolate bars left accessible at Halloween time) can create a lethal metabolic disease called “Pancreatitis.”  Vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this disaster. Remember, in the case of Pancreatitis, it is the fat that causes the problem more than the chocolate itself.

The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases.

Chocolate is, however, directly toxic because of the Theobromine. The more chocolate liquor the more Theobromine is present. This makes baking chocolate the worst, followed by semi-sweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavoured cakes or cookies.

Theobromine causes:

• Vomiting & Diarrhoea
• Hyperactivity
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
• Death in severe cases 

Toxic doses of Theobromine are 9mg per pound of dog for mild signs up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44mg/ounce of Theobromine while semi-sweet chocolate contains 150mg/ounce and baking chocolate contains 390 mg/ounce.

It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog’s system. If the chocolate was only just eaten it may be possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalisation and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

Article archive

https://www.facebook.com/germanshepherddogwelfarefund

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 62 - Meet Dexter

The 62nd day in our ongoing 100 Days with 100 Dogs series coincides with Make a Dog's Day. It's apparently a US holiday, but Wellington has indicated that he's fine with me celebrating it :-) Finding the right homes for the dogs in our would also be an amazing way to make a dog's day!

Meet Dexter

Dexter is an 18 month old male German Shepherd. microchip and vaccinated. He came to us as he can be very reactive and the household contained children so it was decided to err on the side of caution.

He's a very nervous dog and we believe this is the root of any aggression, although it should be noted that he hasn't shown any aggression to the kennel staff. Even so, we have to be cautious and Dexter needs a child and pet-free home.

With his anxiety, anyone wanting to adopt him will likely need to make several visits for him to become familiar with them. He is currently situated in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you can offer Storm the home he needs then please contact us via the form here:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

If Dexter isn't a match for you then you can see other dogs looking for homes here:

http://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/dogslist/

And please continue to Follow, Like and Share these posts and let's see if we can reach the right person for Storm.

New Halloween Auction Item - Signed Copy Of Little Bones by N V Peacock

Signed Copy Of Little Bones by N V Peacock (Paperback, 2020).

N V Peacock has generously donated a signed copy of her chilling thriller 'Little Bones' to raise money supporting the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund.

I have three names: I was born Leigh-Ann. I became Cherrie. When I was a child, they called me Little Bones…

My father was Mr Bones – the notorious serial killer of 25 years ago.

As a child I witnessed his crimes.

Everything is different now. I have a new identity. I’m a mother. I am finally free.

Until that podcast. I should never have listened.

They’re linking a recent disappearance to the crimes of the past.

They know who I am. They’re calling me Little Bones again.

They say I’m a villain but I’m not. I’m a victim.

You believe me, don’t you?

Bid now on eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364023245318

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 61 - Meet Hector

We're fortunate that for the 61st day in our 100 Days with 100 Dogs we can continue with yesterday's good news and meet the last of Bella's pups so now all five have either found their new home or are now ready to do so.

Meet Hector

Hector is a 10 month old male German Shepherd. Along with his mum and four siblings, we rescued them from terrible conditions. They were caked in filth and weren't cared for in any meaningful sense. So much so that all of the pups are underdeveloped for their age.

Thankfully they all responded well once in our care. He's a lovely lad to spend time with, but we need to be mindful that the conditions of his formative months are such that issues could arise in the future.

With this consideration and like his siblings, Hector should be the only dog in the household. He has lived with children but has not been tested with cats.

Hector is currently located in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

If you are able to provide Hector with his new home, then please get in touch via the adoption query form here:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

If Hector isn't the dog for you then take a look at other dogs in our care looking for their new homes:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/dogslist/